Gerrard did not enjoy playing under Eriksson

Steven Gerrard has delivered another deeply unflattering assessment of Sven-Goran Eriksson's years in charge of England by admitting he had not enjoyed playing under the Swede. The Professional Footballers' Association player of the year said he felt much happier with the new regime, having been given carte blanche by Steve McClaren to replicate the role he plays for Liverpool.

Gerrard fulfilled his new responsibilities as David Beckham's replacement on the right of midfield with distinction during the 4-0 defeat of Greece and it is a position he is eager to retain in the future. "It's the first time in a long time that I have really enjoyed myself playing for England," he said. "I loved it, to be honest. The boss told me a few days ago that he wanted me to get forward, play with freedom and not to be scared to try things.

"It's a different role than before and it's me all over - breaking from midfield. I wouldn't say it is a completely free role, I still have a responsibility to get back and help Gary Neville, but the manager told me he wanted me to start doing for England what I've been doing for Liverpool and that suits me perfectly."

Gerrard had let it be known to McClaren that he did not believe Eriksson was using him in the correct positions. He was frustrated by his inability to dovetail with Frank Lampard, a longstanding problem that may have been remedied by the emergence of Owen Hargreaves. Most of all, Gerrard resented Eriksson experimenting with him as a deep-lying striker. Those feelings are revealed in his new autobiography in which he describes himself as "gutted" when he was asked to take the No9 shirt for the pre-World Cup game against Hungary, and says of Eriksson: "Get real - I'm an attacking midfield player, not an emergency striker."

"It's a fresh start now," Gerrard said last night. "Everyone is still hurting from the World Cup. We put the supporters through enough pain in the summer. It's important we bring our club form into these internationals and it's important that we start playing like a team. I think we have been guilty in the past of playing too individually and it hasn't worked out. Against Greece, I think you saw a good team performance from start to finish. We passed the ball well, played at a high tempo and now we have set a standard that we need to maintain for the future."

Having seldom played as well for England as he does for his club, Gerrard's performance was one of the most encouraging aspects of Wednesday's game for McClaren, and Liverpool's captain says he is not concerned about comparisons with Beckham. "I know what people are going to say but I'm Steven Gerrard, not David Beckham. I'm a much different type of player, but it feels natural for me out there [on the right] because I have played there so much for Liverpool. I know the movements and it is just great to be able to get forward. That's the first time for ages I have really enjoyed myself out there."